Slow times - how long do you have
Slow times - how long do you have
(OP)
Hi some insight from people who have been through this downturn before. Our work has dried up somewhat, although it is expected that we will have work coming in by march/april although this is not confirmed yet obviously. One of our 'framework' work will start coming in but how much and when is not clear.
My question is this, how long does it take before an employer starts thinking of cutting staff. The contract guys have long gone. We are typically on one month notice.
My question is this, how long does it take before an employer starts thinking of cutting staff. The contract guys have long gone. We are typically on one month notice.





RE: Slow times - how long do you have
RE: Slow times - how long do you have
In our case, our GM elected, back when the economy was booming, to not hire all the people that appeared to be needed for the work at hand. This allowed him to cut less than 10% when the downturn got sufficiently severe to put a crimp on overhead spending. Nonetheless, we're still riding pretty hard on the overhead accounts, again, because our GM believes in maintaining a relatively steady workforce.
Nonetheless, at previous companies, first sign of recession usually involved massive layoffs, which were matched by massive hiring when good times were evident.
TTFN
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RE: Slow times - how long do you have
Some people are more easily replaced to start with. If a chain restaurant lets a few servers go, they can easily find replacements a few months later if needed. However, if the company has some obscure, custom-written software that was created 15 years ago, they might consider hanging on to the IT guy that doesn't have much to do most of the time, because he is occasionally needed to keep things moving. Even if they can find somebody that COULD do it when they are "in the black" again, how long would it take for them to get to the same skill and comfort level?
That's only one of MANY factors. I'd say it's too diverse to even begin to get an answer here. The best indication would be that you asked the question. Maybe your gut is telling you something?
-- MechEng2005
RE: Slow times - how long do you have
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If we learn from our mistakes I'm getting a great education!
RE: Slow times - how long do you have
RE: Slow times - how long do you have
RE: Slow times - how long do you have
- Steve
RE: Slow times - how long do you have
RE: Slow times - how long do you have
RE: Slow times - how long do you have
RE: Slow times - how long do you have
RE: Slow times - how long do you have
I've seen places lay off staff to preempt slow times even though they expected better times just 2-3 months later.
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: Slow times - how long do you have
TTFN
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RE: Slow times - how long do you have
RE: Slow times - how long do you have
- Steve
RE: Slow times - how long do you have
That March timeframe is very odd as our jobs are supposedly waiting for funding sometime in Feb/March. But looking at the banking sector, banking is getting more messed up as each day goes on and money is becoming more tight to lend.
Someone, accountant or principals??, at each company must be following that trend to know how to proceed into the future.
Civil Development Group, LLC
Los Angeles Civil Engineering specializing in Hillside Grading
http://civildevelopmentgroup.com
RE: Slow times - how long do you have
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: Slow times - how long do you have
I was in charge of nearly all of our main products. Someone decided that since they were building all of the products in China that they could do the Engineering in China as well. I was let go about 1.5 years ago and they are still fighting design issues that were changed after going overseas.
RE: Slow times - how long do you have
Bottom line is that no one can predict the future with sufficient certainty, even from within a company.
TTFN
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